U.S. patent application number 14/460794 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-18 for gaff for tree and pole climber.
This patent application is currently assigned to Buckingham Manufacturing Co., Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Buckingham Manufacturing Co., Inc.. Invention is credited to Deforest Canfield, James J. Rullo.
Application Number | 20160045788 14/460794 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55301397 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160045788 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rullo; James J. ; et
al. |
February 18, 2016 |
Gaff for Tree and Pole Climber
Abstract
A climber for use by a user when climbing a tree or pole. The
climber includes a stirrup in which the user's foot is to be
positioned, a leg iron that extends along the interior side of the
user's leg, and a gaff attached to the exterior of the leg iron and
that includes a downwardly directed pointed end for biting into the
tree or pole and assist the user in climbing or descending the tree
or pole. The gaff extends in a plane that is angularly offset
relative to the plane in which the stirrup and leg iron extend,
thereby keeping the gaff pointed toward the heart of the pole or
tree which aids in preventing cutout and promotes ease of
climbing.
Inventors: |
Rullo; James J.;
(Binghamton, NY) ; Canfield; Deforest; (Oxford,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Buckingham Manufacturing Co., Inc. |
Binghamton |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Buckingham Manufacturing Co.,
Inc.
Binghamton
NY
|
Family ID: |
55301397 |
Appl. No.: |
14/460794 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
182/221 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 27/02 20130101;
A63B 27/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 27/02 20060101
A63B027/02 |
Claims
1. A climber for donning by a user climbing a tree or pole,
comprising: a stirrup adapted to receive the user's foot thereon,
and extending substantially along a direction of a z-axis; a leg
iron extending upwardly from said stirrup, and extending
substantially along a direction of a y-axis; a single gaff attached
only to and extending downwardly from said leg iron, and extending
substantially along a direction between the y-axis and a x-axis;
wherein, said gaff extends in a first plane; wherein said stirrup
and said leg iron extend in a common second plane; and wherein said
first plane is angularly offset from said second plane by a
predetermined angle.
2. The climber according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined
angle is in the range of 2 to 4 degrees.
3. The climber according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined
angle is 3 degrees.
4. The climber according to claim 1, further comprising a climber
pad attached to said leg iron.
5. The climber according to claim 1 wherein said gaff is
permanently attached to said leg iron.
6. The climber according to claim 1, wherein said gaff is removably
attached to said leg iron.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] N/A
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to climbers, and more
particularly to an improved gaff position (orientation) used on a
climber.
[0004] 2. Background of Art
[0005] Climbers are used by arborists, utility lineman, and others
having a need to climb trees or poles. A typical climber includes a
stirrup in which the user places his/her foot, a leg iron that
extends upwardly from the stirrup and is intended to be positioned
on the inside of the user's leg, a climber pad that attaches to the
top of the leg iron and straps the climber to the user's leg while
affording some padding, and a gaff that extends downwardly from the
exterior of the leg iron and is used by the user to bite into the
tree or pole and provide support while climbing. The gaff may be
permanently affixed to the leg iron or attached via a fastener
system such that it can be replaced or reconditioned.
[0006] The gaff is an important tool when climbing as it provides
the support the user needs while ascending and descending the tree
or pole. As climbing is not typically considered to be a
comfortable activity, little thought has been given to the
ergonomics of the climber and gaff. As such, the leg iron typically
runs perpendicular to the foot placement in the stirrup and the
gaff is generally extending along a parallel path to the leg iron.
While such an arrangement serves the purpose of permitting the user
to effectively climb with the aid of the climber and gaff, the user
must position the gaff at an angle to adequately penetrate the pole
or tree.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0007] It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the
present invention to provide a climber having improved ergonomics
to permit more comfortable setting of the foot and arch while
keeping the gaff pointed toward the heart of the pole or tree which
aids in preventing cutout and promotes ease of climbing.
[0008] It is another object and advantage of the present invention
to provide an improved gaff position (orientation) for use on a
climber to improve its effectiveness.
[0009] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
in part be obvious and in part appear hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the
present invention provides a climber comprising a stirrup portion
in which a user's foot is adapted to be placed along a
predetermined axis, a leg iron extending upwardly from the stirrup
and along an axis that is transverse to the axis in which the
user's foot extends when placed in the stirrup, and a gaff attached
to the exterior surface of the leg iron and pointing downwardly and
extending along an axis that is offset relative to the axis of the
leg iron. In its preferred form, the gaff is offset at an angle of
approximately 3.degree. from the axis of the leg iron.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present invention will be more fully understood and
appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art climber in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a prior art climber;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a climber in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0015] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the climber in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the climber in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is seen in the
Figures a climber designated generally by reference numeral 10.
Climber 10 comprises a stirrup portion/stirrup 12 that is adapted
to receive a user's foot thereon, a leg iron 14 extending upwardly
from stirrup 12, a climber pad 16 and strap 18 attached to the top
of leg iron 14 and adapted to secure climber 10 to the user's leg,
and a gaff 20 attached to the exterior surface of leg iron 14 with
its pointed end 22 facing downwardly. At least stirrup 12 and leg
iron 14 are of unitary construction and extend in a common plane
A-A.
[0018] In use a user will place his/her foot in stirrup 12 and it
will extend essentially along an axis (or in a plane) X-X that is
essentially perpendicular to plane A-A. Leg iron 14 will be
positioned on the interior of the user's leg and extends along an
axis Y-Y that is essentially perpendicular to axis X-X. In the
prior art climber of FIGS. 1 and 2, gaff 20 is seen to extend in a
plane B-B that is co-planar with plane A-A and is perpendicular to
axis X-X. As seen in FIGS. 3-5, gaff 20' extends in a plane/along
axis B'-B' that is angularly offset from plane A-A (and axis Y-Y)
by .alpha. degrees. In its preferred form, .alpha. equals
approximately 3.degree..+-.1.degree.
[0019] By offsetting the angle at which gaff 20' extends relative
to the plane in which climber 10 extends (and the axis along which
leg iron 14 extends), the user is more ergonomically positioned
relative to the pole or tree being ascended or descended in light
of the typical user leaning slightly backwardly while climbing at
an angle of about 3.degree.. Thus, the angularly offset gaff 20'
coincides with the typical angle at which a user leans while
ascending or descending a pole or tree using climber 10, thereby
providing for a more ergonomic and effective use of gaff 20.
[0020] Although the present invention has been described in
connection with a preferred embodiment, it should be understood
that modifications, alterations, and additions can be made to the
invention without departing from the scope of the invention as
defined by the claims.
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